How to Sort Brass for Reloading: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

If you pick up range brass, you will end up with a bucket of mixed calibers, brands and junk. Sorting it is the first step to safe, consistent reloads.

Here is the simple process I use, and how far you really need to go depending on whether you load plinking ammo or precision rifle rounds.

Short answer: Pull out steel and aluminum cases with a magnet and by eye, sort the brass by caliber, then by headstamp if you want more consistency. Inspect every case for cracks, bulges and crimped primer pockets, and keep cases in batches by how many times they have been fired.

Step 1: Remove Steel and Aluminum Cases

Run a magnet over the pile to pull out steel cases. Then pick out aluminum cases, which look dull silver and are usually marked as non-reloadable. Neither should be reloaded. Also set aside any cases with Berdan primers (two small flash holes instead of one), since normal decapping pins cannot remove them.

Step 2: Sort by Caliber

Sort by caliber next. Watch out for look-alikes such as 9mm and .380 ACP, or .40 S&W and 10mm. A set of case sorting trays or a plastic sorter that drops cases through sized holes makes this much faster for pistol brass.

Step 3: Sort by Headstamp (Optional)

Different brands have slightly different case weights and internal volume. For bulk pistol ammo it barely matters. For precision rifle loads, keep one brand per batch so pressure and velocity stay consistent.

Also sort out military brass with crimped primer pockets. It must have the crimp removed before you can seat new primers.

Step 4: Inspect Every Case

Split necks or mouths: scrap them.
Bulges or a bright ring near the base on rifle brass: a sign of incipient case head separation. Scrap them.
Loose primer pockets: if a new primer seats with almost no effort, scrap the case.
Dents: small mouth dents often size out. Deep dents in the body mean scrap.

Step 5: Keep Batches by Firing Count

Store each batch in a labeled container with the caliber, headstamp and number of firings. That way you know when a batch is getting tired and needs extra checks.

Reloading safety: Only use load data from published manuals or powder makers, start at the starting load, never exceed the listed maximum, and store powder and primers as the makers recommend.

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to sort brass by headstamp?

For plinking pistol ammo, not really. For precision rifle ammo, yes, because case capacity varies between brands.

Can you reload aluminum or steel cases?

No. Most steel and aluminum cases are made for one use and many use Berdan primers.

How do I spot crimped primer pockets?

Look for a ring stamped around the primer, common on military brass. Remove it with a swager or reamer before priming.

New to reloading? Start with our Reloading for Beginners guide →

How to Sort Brass for Reloading (Step by Step)